Robotic Platform for Brain Cancer

Overseen By Project Manager

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine

Disqualifiers: Under 18, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores a new method to stabilize the head during whole brain radiation therapy using the Freedom Pursuit Robotic Platform. The goal is to ensure the patient's head remains perfectly still, enhancing the precision and effectiveness of the radiation treatment. The trial employs a special mask and head holder connected to a robotic system that makes tiny adjustments based on real-time 3D images. This trial may suit individuals 18 and older scheduled for whole brain radiation therapy. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could improve treatment precision for future patients.

Do I need to stop taking my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this robotic platform is safe for head stabilization during radiation therapy?

Research has shown that the Freedom Pursuit Robotic Platform is safe for brain surgeries. One study found that a frameless robotic system is both accurate and safe for patients with brain tumors, allowing precise targeting of the treatment area without harm. Another study on robotic systems for brain cancer treatments demonstrated a good safety record, with no major safety issues reported.

Overall, these robotic systems emphasize precision and control to reduce risks and enhance safety during procedures. Although this specific trial does not test the robotic platform directly on patients, existing evidence suggests it is well-tolerated in similar situations. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

The Freedom Pursuit Robotic Platform is unique because it offers real-time head stabilization during radiation therapy for brain cancer patients. Unlike standard treatments that might use static head supports, this platform utilizes a specially designed patient mask and head holder connected to a robotic support system. What sets it apart is its ability to make sub-millimeter corrections using 3D surface data, enhancing precision and potentially improving treatment outcomes. Researchers are excited about this approach because it aims to minimize movement and maximize accuracy, which is crucial for effectively targeting tumors while sparing healthy tissue.

What evidence suggests that the Freedom Pursuit Robotic Platform is effective for head stabilization during brain cancer treatment?

In this trial, the Freedom Pursuit Robotic Platform will stabilize the head during radiation therapy for brain cancer. This technology keeps a patient's head steady, enabling doctors to target cancer cells accurately while safeguarding healthy tissue. Research has shown that robotic platforms like this can reduce damage to nearby brain areas, which is crucial for patient recovery and outcomes. The system employs real-time 3D imaging to make tiny adjustments, ensuring more accurate treatment. These advancements suggest that robotic platforms can enhance the effectiveness and safety of brain cancer treatments. ^{1 5 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Michelle Alonso-Basanta, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Pennsylvania

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for patients with brain metastases or brain cancer who are undergoing whole brain radiation therapy. Specific eligibility criteria details are not provided, so it's best to contact the study team for more information.

Inclusion Criteria

Participants must sign the informed consent form

I am 18 or older and receiving whole brain radiation therapy.

Exclusion Criteria

All patients not meeting the above inclusion criteria will not be considered for this study.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Radiation

Participants undergo whole brain radiation therapy with real-time head stabilization using a robotic support platform

24 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after radiation therapy

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Freedom Pursuit Robotic Platform

Trial Overview The trial is testing an advanced motion control system called the Freedom Pursuit Robotic Platform designed to stabilize a patient's head during whole brain radiation therapy. It's observational, meaning they're just watching and recording what happens.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Head Stabilization Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Real-time patient head stabilization during radiation therapy will be performed using a specially designed patient mask and head holder that are connected to a robotic patient support platform (Freedom Pursuit Robotic Platform, CDR Systems, Canada) that will use real-time 3D surface data from the AlignRT system (3D surface imager) as an input and will perform small sub-millimeter corrections.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine

Lead Sponsor

Trials

425

Recruited

464,000+

Citations

1. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/robotic-platform-for-brain-cancer-2ed87

Robotic Platform for Brain Cancer · Info for Participants The Freedom Pursuit Robotic Platform is unique because it uses a robotic system to automatically detect and clean up brain tumor residues after conventional ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589238X24000913

The evolution of brain surgery: Exploring the impact ... This technology holds promise for safer, more effective brain tumor removal. Zhang et al. (2022) enhanced the design of continuum robots tailored for minimally ...

3. wehi.edu.au wehi.edu.au/news/world-first-clinical-trial-reveals-unprecedented-insights-into-brain-cancer-treatment/

World-first clinical trial reveals unprecedented insights into ... The pioneering Brain Perioperative clinical trial platform aims to accelerate drug development and improve outcomes for brain cancer patients.

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11202201/

Revolutionizing Brain Tumor Care: Emerging Technologies ... One of the key advantages of robotic surgery in brain tumor treatment is its ability to minimize trauma to surrounding healthy brain tissue [71]. The precision ...

5. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04940507

Study Details | NCT04940507 | BRAINFUL (BRAIN Tumor ... We have recently shown promising results that suggest that the analysis of blood samples can distinguish brain tumor types. We now want to couple liquid ...

6. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19802718/

Feasibility, safety, and outcome of frameless image-guided ... Single-session, frameless robotic SRS is feasible, accurate, and safe in selected patients with brain metastases of various primary tumors. There seems to ...

7. thejns.org thejns.org/focus/view/journals/neurosurg-focus/57/6/article-pE4.xml

Neuro-oncology application of next-generation, optically ... The authors' pilot experience with the ExcelsiusGPS robot in neuro-oncology procedures indicates a favorable efficacy and safety profile.

8. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2072-6694/15/8/2303

Advanced Radio Frequency Applicators for Thermal ... This work examines hybrid RF applicator arrays combining loop and self-grounded bow-tie (SGBT) dipole antennas for ThermalMR of brain tumors.